February 12, 2019

The Complete Guide to Cryptojacking

The Complete Guide to Cryptojacking

In today’s digital world, it’s easy for cybercriminals to wreak havoc on your business. One of the newest and most effective ways of doing this is cryptojacking. With something as simple as a malicious link, cybercriminals can hack your computer, commit crimes on your behalf, and crash your system.

As a business owner, you need to know all about cryptojacking to protect your business. In this article, we're covering the ins-and-outs of cryptojacking. So you can prevent, detect, and recover from it.

What is Cryptojacking?

Cryptojacking is a form of cyber attack involving cryptocurrency mining. A hacker uses your computer to mine for the cryptocurrency. They usually do this by running cryptocurrency mining software on your computer.

Hackers run this code on your computer through either malicious links or websites. This code runs in the background as you use your device, and quickly steals cryptocurrency. Once the cryptocurrency is mined, it's sold for a profit.

The act of cryptojacking is a complex and strenuous process for your computer. It causes your computer to perform slower and drains it of its power, which can ultimately kill it.

Cryptojacking can infect any device that runs software. This means smartphones, personal computers, and even iPads are at risk of hacking. Any web page that has an embedded mining script open in the browser can be used for this nefarious purpose.

Why is Cryptojacking Becoming More Popular?

Cryptojacking has risen in popularity in the last year mostly because of how easy it is to use. Many hackers view this hacking technique as a cheaper, more profitable version of ransomware. It’s also easier to get away with cryptojacking because the mining code can run undetected for a long time.

How to Prevent Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is a scary thing, but thankfully there are ways to protect yourself from this cybercrime. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your business’s risk.

Create Better Security Awareness Training

Right now, phishing is one of the major entry points for cryptojacking. A great security training program can help educate employees about this potential risk and make them less likely to click suspicious links. This won’t protect you from all crypto attacks, but it will reduce the chances of employees visiting infected websites.

Install Anti-Cryptomining Extensions

Web ads are another easy way for cybercriminals to hack your business. Ad blockers like Ad Block Plus have capabilities that can help detect crypto mining scripts should they occur. You should also use endpoint protection and antivirus software vendors to protect against crypto mining.

You should also install a browser extension that will provide a blacklist of mining scripts you can look out for. Beyond that, train your help team to look out for signs of crypto mining like slow computer performance and overheating.

By training your team to look out for signs of crypto mining and deploying a network monitoring system, you can detect and fight back against cryptocurrency cases.

Final Thoughts on Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is a scary thing. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent, detect, and undermine it should your business ever fall victim to it. By studying up on the tips outlined in this article, you can set a system in place that will better protect your business.

Are you worried about your web security? Need more tips and tricks? Check out our security blog to stay up to date on security best practices.

Hello! I am the Web Services Manager @ EnvisionIT Solutions. I create business websites, help shape a businesses image through branding, and help them grow through content marketing. I am an avid photographer and a lover of musical instruments.

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